Three Wishes: Cairo (5 page)

Ameerah reached up and placed her hand on top of her mother's.

“All I am, I owe to your example. You have always been a queen. To this day, whenever I have a question in my mind, I think about what my mother would do. And without a single doubt, I have my answer.”

After a warm embrace between mother and daughter, it was time for a wedding.

The Plan was everything.

The Plan was perfect.

This wasn’t about revenge, nor was it hatred. It was simply The Plan. Over the years, it had taken on a life of its own. The Plan grew, matured and now finally, was set in motion.

It was time for Nature to be corrected.

When a lion is born, he is protected by the pride until he grows into the king of the beasts and takes his place at the top of the food chain. Even the simplest creatures on Earth understand the basic principle that the strongest rule. No one questions. The animals aren’t told; they just know it to be true.

In tales he heard as a child about Egypt, Alchemy was taught that the gods had once ruled the earth. They were the most powerful beings. They ruled through incredible might and magic over their enthralled subjects. These creatures did wonderful things as well as unspeakably evil things during their tenure as caretakers of the planet. Throughout history, when the gods spoke, their subjects obeyed without question. There was no other choice to be made. As time went on, the gods became enamored with the simple humans who populated the earth at that time. Soon, the gods became so consumed by their subjects that they began to take on their characteristics. Then they began to live amongst their subjects. Their offspring were the first primal wizards. It wasn’t long before the gods were no more.

The primitive wizards were far more powerful than the magical practitioners today and had little respect for those pitiful creatures beneath them in the hierarchy of life. Driven crazy by their enormous power and arrogance, they fought and clawed for control over a planet just starting into its young life. Soon, they had killed off the last of the dinosaurs, most of the animals, and caused an ice age that had threatened the planet. When they came to their senses and saw what they had done, it became clear to them that a world ruled by supreme power and magic was not going to last very long.

The High Council of Wizards was formed at this time. Once fierce combatants now huddled together in caves and bore witness to the destruction they had wrought on this young planet. These creatures came to their senses and realized that their power was derived from the energy within the planet they were fighting over. This power source had grown unstable and was perched on the brink of catastrophic destruction. The remaining survivors arrived at the same sobering conclusion at almost exactly the same time: adapt and cooperate, or perish. Almost as if an invisible switch had been thrown, these former enemies began work on The Writ of Subservience. This document became the foundation on which the New Earth was built. It was determined that it was better to live and thrive on a healthy planet than battle on the road to complete and utter destruction. Plus, in the capacity of advisors, they could still help shape the future of the Earth and have a modicum of control over the events that took place without giving in to their own bloodlust.

As the ice thawed and a second wave of life started on earth, mortal men became the new caretakers and the few remaining wizards served as advisors by their sides. As the years went on, the wizards settled nicely into that role and never even questioned the Writ. Certainly they now practiced a much more neutered brand of magic. There was far less fire and brimstone and a more practical brand of magic, but most felt that even this type of magic was passing and on a quiet road to extinction. Young wizards were no longer finding tutelage and were blending and raising families with mortals. They were simply watering down the gene pool and mating their way out of existence.

Alchemy himself was a perfect example of this cross pollination. But this young wizard would not shuffle off into his predetermined role. He felt the blood of those primal wizards coursing through his veins. He would correct the mistakes of the past and lead a new generation of wizards back to their rightful place at the top of the food chain.

Alchemy thought without hesitation. “I am the lion.”

Nature would be corrected. And if there was no other being that would or could do it, Alchemy would. It was his destiny and it was a long time coming. He had seen up close the penalty for inaction.

Wizards were a rare and blessed breed. They came into life much like their mortal counterparts; not really showing their magical prowess until puberty. Most were treated as mortal so that empathetic understanding developed from an early age. Young wizards were not even indoctrinated until their magical gifts were undeniable and overwhelming. At that point, their heritage was revealed and, in most cases, whatever mortal life they’d established was left behind for the higher moral call of servitude. A wizard’s powers start subtly by design. This not only protects the young magi, but also those around them.

Alchemy’s grandfather, Caidon was one of the most powerful wizards in history. He had served several successful realms over roughly one hundred years. If Caidon stood by your side, you were quite simply invincible. Even at almost one hundred and fifty years, his name still struck fear into the hearts of the mortal leaders and lesser wizards who went up against him. When it was learned that an heir to Caidon was soon to be born, kingdoms throughout the land clamored for the chance to secure his talents. Though wizards rarely showed much bravado in the years since the Writ, Caidon enjoyed the spoils of being in demand; probably more than he should have.

He finally agreed to assign the rights of his young son, Andreus, to Khayri’s father, King Alam of Transjordan. This was no small feat as Alam’s kingdom was not large and powerful. But Caidon appreciated the honesty and respect that the very young Alam showed him. His decision was final. Caidon also foresaw a long history for the small kingdom where great things would happen for the good of mankind. It also pleased the old wizard to no end that when he made the announcement, he disappointed so many of the much larger, more entitled windbags, who ruled on powerful thrones. Alam was level-headed and serious. His concern for his people came first. That was certainly a rare and desired quality and Caidon felt a need to reward it.

In his teenage years prior to his Awakening, Alchemy’s father met and fell deeply in love with Kinika, the daughter of a local craftsman and furniture maker. He agreed to help her father in his business and the two were exquisitely happy. Soon after a secret wedding, Kinika became pregnant with their first child. This was joyous news to the young couple, as both were eager to become parents. In need of nothing more than love and family, Andreus was surprised when he started noticing his newfound powers. His preoccupation with his young wife and his father’s busy schedule had delayed the normal cycle of transformation. Finally on his eighteenth birthday, the young man asked his own father about the strange changes that were beginning to blossom within him.

When his father proudly revealed his wizard heritage and all that would now be expected of him, Andreus shocked the great wizard by announcing his new family. He poured even more fuel on the fire by choosing
not
to practice magic. He instead chose to be a husband and a father. It was a disheartening embarrassment to Caidon and an obvious disappointment to King Alam. The young king handled the unexpected news with great understanding and empathy. The embarrassment to Caidon, however, caused a rift with Andreus that was never repaired. Caidon’s anger was so strong that he removed the protection spell he had placed on Andreus and the guidance spell that had helped him achieve some measured success with his father in-law’s business.

The impudent wizard had never even considered that his son would refuse him. He simply could not accept that his only son had chosen to be normal rather than exceptional. “You want to turn your back on me and make me a fool, then so be it. You will see how you succeed when you ignore your family and your heritage!”

His power was so great and his arrogance so grandiose, that he was happy to see his own son suffer because he wasn’t willing to complete a destiny that he had never even had a chance to choose for himself.

Andreus settled into his life as a normal man; a life replete with the struggles that any mortal would experience. But he never felt even a modicum of remorse for living the exact life that he himself had chosen. He viewed his life as a husband and father-to-be as more worthwhile than a hundred kings or a thousand kingdoms. Never once did he look back with regret. “When I look into my child's eyes, I will have all of the magic that I will ever need,” he said with complete certainty.

There was no fanfare when Alchemy (a name designed in some small measure to tweak his father) was born. It was assumed that he would follow his father into a now struggling furniture business. No kingdoms were falling over themselves this time. Who would bother to offer apprenticeship for the heir of a wizard who had never even practiced magic?

But not everyone dismissed the idea of a young wizard being born. Caidon secretly watched the young boy from afar as he stewed in his private shame. He vowed that he would not make the mistake of exposing his grandson to the world of magic too late, as he had with Andreus. Young men reach a certain point where they begin to think themselves wise; long before they really are. Even as his estranged son watched the toddler take his first steps, Caidon had begun yet again, to plot a future that should not have been his concern.

The old wizard was bound and determined to honor his agreement with Alam. It was normally the task of the father to assign wizarding rights, but Caidon brazenly promised the rights of his future grandson to Alam without even consulting his son. Alam felt honored that the powerful wizard even felt remorse for a situation he himself had forgiven many years earlier. He was thrilled at the prospect of another chance at a magical ally to help rule his kingdom, even though he admittedly did have some doubt this time around. Alam had some rather progressive ideas. A powerful albeit young wizard could really help him make a difference and realize the greatness he hoped for with his kingdom.

The years rolled on and Alchemy was the light of Andreus’s life. Though he showed early powerful signs of his wizarding skills, his heritage was not discussed while he learned carpentry at the feet of his father.

At the age of ten, tragedy struck and, without the protection spell, Alchemy lost his mother to disease. She had simply withered and died with little explanation. It seemed like one day, his mother was happy and healthy as she carried water from the river and the next, she was confined to a bed and his elders were speaking in hushed and measured voices around him. Her husband was too proud to ask for help from his father and Caidon was too proud to ease their suffering.

The loss of Caidon’s protection spell had also trickled down to their business. Contracts which had once been plentiful had now begun to dry up. On the night of his mother’s death, his father was busy working to complete an order and was unable to sit by her bedside.

Alchemy still remembered the night she died. He was called into the room and was mortified by how quickly she had deteriorated. He was almost afraid to touch her for fear that he would only feel the cold stillness of death on her skin. She looked dead already, yet the young man swallowed his fear and took her hand. Thankfully the hand wasn’t cold and amazingly, that simple touch provided a spark that brought forth a weak smile and the bright eyes of the young mother she had been just weeks earlier.

Alchemy gasped when he saw her return to him. “Mother, you’re still with me.”

“Of course I’m still with you. I will always be with you Al.” she squeezed his hand gently.

“I don’t want you to leave me,” he whimpered softly.

“You will have to help your father now. Where is he?” her eyes slowly scanned the room.

“He had to work late. He’s been working so much to try and save the business. I don’t understand why Father isn’t here right now. He should be at your side now more than ever, Mother.”

Alchemy looked into his mother’s slowly closing eyes. It was as if the temporary burst of energy she had found had now run out.

“My son,” she spoke quietly. “Your father is doing what he must to put food on our table. If his business demands it, he must honor that obligation. Do not take your life for granted. Be everything you've ever dreamed of and, like your father, have the courage of a lion and carve out your own destiny.”

As Alchemy watched her close her eyes for the final time, the weak grip she had on him eased as her hand slid back to the mattress. He tried to grab her hand, but this time, there was no reassuring grip that returned. She was gone. Alchemy felt alone. His mother’s death made his chest feel hollow and weak, but he didn’t cry. Through all of his pain he still felt some relief that she had been granted a quiet and peaceful trip into her next life. He was also secretly angry that his father had allowed a business deal to force him away from his dying wife’s bed. At that moment, he vowed that he would never allow anyone to control his life.

He never spoke to his father about this anger, and after her death, they did their best to carry on bravely in her name. But bad luck seems attracted to those who have suffered and everything continued on a downward spiral despite their best efforts. Alchemy did what he could to help, but now, with his mother gone, his father had turned to drinking to ease the depression in his life. Alchemy spent many lonely nights at home worrying about his family and thinking about his destiny. Though he understood the loss, and what it had done to his family, he also felt his respect for his father waning. A lion was strong and rose up when misfortune appeared. A truly great individual didn’t drown himself in a bottle when stung by fate.